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Provo • With the exception of starting quarterback, which BYU named last week, it appears the Cougars will continue to try to keep Arizona guessing in the days leading up to Saturday's college football season opener at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Head coach Kalani Sitake released his first depth chart since spring camp ended on Monday, and it includes a lot of surprises. It also features the word "or" 21 times, the traditional two-deep chart hedge that coaches use when they don't want to officially name a starter at a certain position.
Sitake also announced Monday that starting quarterback Taysom Hill, running back Jamaal Williams, safety Kai Nacua and defensive end Harvey Langi will be team captains in 2016.
Those four are seniors and on the depth chart as one of the most senior-laden BYU teams in recent memory hopes to make Sitake's inaugural season memorable. Of the 24 players who could see the field most often — 22 position players and a punter and kicker — BYU could presumably start 14 seniors.
The most notable aspect of the two-deep, however, is that true freshman Troy Warner will get the start at left cornerback. The younger brother of star linebacker Fred Warner is listed as an "or" with sophomore Akile Davis, but Sitake confirmed in his weekly news conference that the freshman will get the first snap and both will play.
"We will need more than just 11 guys on defense," Sitake said. "You are going to see a high number of players on the field, depending on what they are doing and how successful we are getting them off the field. So if the guys are tired, we are going to have to go into our depth."
More surprises: Southern Utah transfers Andrew Eide and Keyan Norman at left tackle and left guard, respectively, to be backed up by returning lettermen JJ Nwigwe and Jacob Jiminez.
Other mild surprises include Snow College transfer Jonah Trinnaman in the four-man rotation at receiver, sophomore Rhett Almond at placekicker and sophomore Moses Kaumatule "or" basketball center-turned football player Corbin Kaufusi at defensive end opposite Langi.
Sitake quickly cautioned, however, that the depth chart "is a changing thing" and never set in stone.
"We will kind of rotate guys around a little bit," he said. "We will put the best 11 on the field, every week. They gotta compete every week."
Sitake was peppered with questions about injuries, and he said that receiver Nick Kurtz (fractured foot) had a "great practice" on Monday and "is going to be fine." He said defensive tackle Travis Tuiloma will be a game time decision as he tries to return from a Lisfranc foot injury.
Coaches are not planning on having offensive lineman Kyle Johnson in the first game, Sitake said, and status of two other guys who haven't been in camp — defensive end Sione Takitaki and offensive lineman Brad Wilcox — hasn't changed despite school starting Monday.
"I mean, if anything changes [regarding Wilcox and Takitaki] I will let you know, but they are not with us right now," Sitake said.
Regarding the captains, Sitake said all four received "the majority of votes" from their teammates.
None of the four could be considered surprise picks, although Williams is returning to the program for his final year of eligibility after withdrawing from school just before the start of preseason camp last year.
Langi talked publicly for the first time since camp began in early August and said the selection "humbles me, to be honest."
A starting linebacker last year Langi is the only captain making a position switch.
"There are 105 guys, and there are a lot of guys who inspire me and motivate me to be a better person. If a lot of people wrote my name down, hopefully I can be that guy for them," he said.
Hill was also picked as a captain in 2014 as a junior and in 2015 as a senior, but played in just one game last year before suffering a season-ending foot injury against Nebraska.
"I think the biggest thing is it is humbling when your teammates choose you to represent them," Hill said. "My mindset is I will do my best to represent them on the field, and I certainly don't take it lightly, and I look forward to the opportunity."
As for Nacua, the ascendency to captainship completes a remarkable turnaround after he was suspended in the 2015 opener for his role in escalating the brawl that came at the conclusion of the 2014 Miami Beach Bowl.
"It is a lot of responsibility, and I am really excited to take that role," said the senior from Las Vegas."I am going to do what I can. My teammates know that I will do whatever I can to help this team."
Twitter: @drewjay —
BYU vs. Arizona
P At Glendale, Ariz.
Saturday, 8:30 p.m.
TV • Fox Sports 1 —
BYU vs. Arizona
P At Glendale, Ariz.
Saturday, 8:30 p.m.
TV • Fox Sports 1